What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientNiacinamide
SmoothingTranexamic Acid
AstringentAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialPhytic Acid
Cocoglycerides
EmollientSilicon
AbrasivePolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingC9-12 Alkane
SolventMandelic Acid
AntimicrobialSaccharide Isomerate
HumectantSodium Hydroxide
BufferingHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantParfum
MaskingTocopherol
AntioxidantSalicylic Acid
MaskingDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning4-Butylresorcinol
AntioxidantPolysilicone-11
Tocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantSclareolide
MaskingSodium Metabisulfite
AntioxidantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Benzoate
MaskingPEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
T-Butyl Alcohol
PerfumingCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Citrate
BufferingWater, Propanediol, Gluconolactone, Dimethicone, Niacinamide, Tranexamic Acid, Alcohol Denat., Phytic Acid, Cocoglycerides, Silicon, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, C9-12 Alkane, Mandelic Acid, Saccharide Isomerate, Sodium Hydroxide, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Parfum, Tocopherol, Salicylic Acid, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, 4-Butylresorcinol, Polysilicone-11, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sclareolide, Sodium Metabisulfite, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Benzoate, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Disodium EDTA, T-Butyl Alcohol, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate
Water
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberButylene Glycol
HumectantPropylene Glycol
HumectantEthylhexyl Triazone
UV AbsorberEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV AbsorberCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientBis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin ConditioningButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV AbsorberPolymethyl Methacrylate
Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane
EmollientBellis Perennis Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningMica
Cosmetic ColorantIsostearyl Alcohol
EmollientTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingNicotiana Benthamiana Hexapeptide-40 Sh-Polypeptide-2
Skin Conditioning3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin Conditioning4-Butylresorcinol
AntioxidantAlcohol
AntimicrobialAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialAscorbyl Palmitate
AntioxidantAzelaic Acid
BufferingBHT
AntioxidantButylene Glycol Cocoate
EmulsifyingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingCitric Acid
BufferingDecyl Glucoside
CleansingDiacetyl Boldine
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientDipotassium Phosphate
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Disodium Phosphate
BufferingEthylcellulose
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantGlyceryl Oleate
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingLecithin
EmollientMelissa Officinalis Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingPhenethyl Alcohol
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePolysilicone-11
Polysorbate 20
EmulsifyingPotassium Phosphate
BufferingSilica
AbrasiveSodium Chloride
MaskingSodium Cholate
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingTocopherol
AntioxidantTranexamic Acid
AstringentUndecylenoyl Phenylalanine
Skin ConditioningWater, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Butylene Glycol, Propylene Glycol, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Cyclopentasiloxane, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane, Bellis Perennis Flower Extract, Mica, Isostearyl Alcohol, Titanium Dioxide, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Nicotiana Benthamiana Hexapeptide-40 Sh-Polypeptide-2, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, 4-Butylresorcinol, Alcohol, Alcohol Denat., Ascorbyl Palmitate, Azelaic Acid, BHT, Butylene Glycol Cocoate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Caprylyl Glycol, Carbomer, Citric Acid, Decyl Glucoside, Diacetyl Boldine, Dimethicone, Dipotassium Phosphate, Disodium EDTA, Disodium Phosphate, Ethylcellulose, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glycerin, Glyceryl Oleate, Glyceryl Stearate, Hexylene Glycol, Lecithin, Melissa Officinalis Leaf Extract, Parfum, Phenethyl Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Polysilicone-11, Polysorbate 20, Potassium Phosphate, Silica, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Cholate, Sodium Hydroxide, Tocopherol, Tranexamic Acid, Undecylenoyl Phenylalanine
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Also known as Rucinol. It's an antioxidant primarily used to treat hyperpigmentation in the outermost layer of skin.
Hyperpigmentation occurs when an enzyme called tyrosinase triggers melanin production in the skin. Melanin is the pigment that gives skin, hair, and eyes their color.
Rucinol works by preventing tyrosinase from creating more melanin. According to a study from 2013, rucinol is more effective than other tyrosinase inhibitors such as hydroquinone, arbutin, and kojic acid.
According to a manufacturer, this ingredient is sensitive to air. Good formulations should account for this to keep your rucinol effective.
Learn more about 4-ButylresorcinolAlcohol Denat. is an alcohol with a denaturant property. It is created by mixing ethanol with other additives.
This ingredient gets a bad rep because it is irritating and drying - mostly due to its astringent property. Astringents draw out natural oils in tissue, constricting pores and leaving your skin dried out.
However, alcohol denat. is not all that bad.
Due to its low molecular weight, alcohol denat. tends to evaporate quickly. One study on pig skin found half of applied alcohol evaporated in 10 seconds and less than 3% stayed on skin.
This also helps other ingredients become better absorbed upon application.
Studies are conflicted about whether this ingredient causes skin dehydration. One study from 2005 found adding emollients to propanol-based sanitizer decreased skin dryness and irritation. Another study found irritation only occurs if your skin is already damaged.
Small amounts of alcohol are generally tolerated by oily skin or people who live in humid environments.
The rule of thumb is if this alcohol is near the end of an ingredients list, it will probably not affect your skin much.
Also...
This ingredient has antimicrobial and solvent properties.
The antimicrobial property helps preserve products and increase their shelf life. As a solvent, it helps dissolve other ingredients.
Other types of astringent alcohols include:
Learn more about Alcohol Denat.Citric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeDisodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.
It is a chelating agent, meaning it neutralizes metal ions that may be found in a product.
Disodium EDTA is a salt of edetic acid and is found to be safe in cosmetic ingredients.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAParfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.
Also called "fragrance", this ingredient can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.
For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of “FRAGRANCE” or “PARFUM” according to EU and US regulations.
The term 'parfum' or 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term.
For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance by INCI standards.
One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.
Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.
Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.
The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about ParfumPolysilicone-11 is a film-forming silicone that creates a non-tacky and matte finish on the skin. It's commonly used to improve texture, absorb excess oil, and help active ingredients spread evenly.
Due to its "rubber-like" structure, it stays on the skin's surface instead of being absorbed. On the skin, it creates a flexible layer that enhances wearability and stability.
Sodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideTocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.
Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skin’s lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.
Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.
You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.
There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.
Learn more about TocopherolTranexamic Acid is best used for treating hyperpigmentation, discoloration, and melasma. It can also help build a stronger skin barrier.
Once applied, Tranexamic Acid starts decreasing inflammation from UV exposure. Tranexamic Acid also prevents our skin cells from meeting the pigment production cells.
Its brightening property makes it great at reducing the appearance of acne scars and marks.
Fun fact: Tranexamic Acid is also a medication used to reduce heavy bleeding.
This acid is derived from lysine, an amino acid.
Learn more about Tranexamic AcidWater. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.
So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation.
You'll also recognize water as that liquid we all need to stay alive. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water